BILLIE TRAVELS: THE BLOG

Hint: It's Portugal. This story was inspired by a conversation with the general manger of the beautiful Palácio de Seteais hotel in Sintra. Even though he was born and raised in Portugal, he'd only just learned a legend about a Portuguese princess who was responsible for bringing the tea fad to England. I looked further into it for this article for BBC Travel, and it turned out to be true. You can read the full story here, and if you plan a trip to Sintra in Portugal (which you should—it's stunning), you can enjoy a new tea service at the Palacio in honor of that princess.

Designed by Mexican architect Fernando Romero (who is also working on the new Mexico City airport, to open in 2020). #museum #architecture #silver #blue #sky #shadows

Amazing #streetart tour today in #cdmx 🌟🌟 The artists are varied international, and have a lot to say. Thank you @lunecas for a great day! 👍 Fun and unexpected coincidence: We booked this tour through Airbnb, and then it turned out she is a writer for Time Out Mexico City! I love that we Time Outers are everywhere; I have met so many as I travel and they are always the coolest people with great insight into their cities.

Colorful things I saw today in #mexicocity. Plus some guys flying in the air around a pole. 🌈 🇲🇽 👍

Carlos Almorales is an artist from Mexico City, and everything in his exhibit was a surprise that made me say wow out loud. He had it set up so that right before turning into this room you were led through a white labyrinth of cut-paper black butterflies. Then you turned into a doorway and boom: this dark room that was all black except for a small brightly lit corner of color. The show was just full of moments like that. This museum, which is all contemporary art, is probably one of my new favorites in the whole world. #art #color #museum #mexicocity #visitmexico